Pearlstein’s column to change

Washington Post business columnist Steven Pearlstein, who is leaving the paper’s full-time employment to teach at George Mason University, writes about how his future column for the Post will be different than his current.

Pearlstein writes, “This is my last weekday column for The Post and nearly my last as a Post employee. After more than 23 years as an editor, a reporter and a columnist, I’m about to take up a new career as a professor at George Mason University, where I’ll explore new ways to teach basic economic principles to undergraduates. In recent years, there’s been a widespread recognition that too many people have graduated without the economic literacy that they now require to do their jobs, manage their lives and participate in a democracy as informed citizens. I like to think I’ve helped to address that problem, along with many other business and economic journalists, but the evidence of our success is spotty. At GMU, I’ll be taking a different approach to the same challenge.

“I’ll continue to write a weekly column for The Post’s Sunday Business section, in which the focus will be on the companies, industries and markets where interesting and exciting things are happening in spite of the increasingly stale and partisan debates on economic policy here in Washington. Although economic policy is important, I’ve never bought the idea that the economy is a machine whose operation is controlled by powerful men twirling dials and pulling levers in corner offices in Washington and on Wall Street. In reality, it’s more complicated, unpredictable and fun than that.

“So while others are doing the necessary work of chasing after the latest budget deal or commenting on the latest outrage from the presidential debate, I’ll look to reconnect with the people, companies and competitive dynamics that drive the economy — local, national and global. Although the subjects and the angle of view may be different, I trust you’ll find the same open-minded curiosity, passion and edgy candor. The transition may get a bit rocky and I may be unable to resist the occasional policy screed, but I hope you’ll continue to tag along each Sunday, in print or online.”

Read more here.